Child Protection

*New* Children First 2017

PDST Clarification of Supports

Update on Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Support Arrangements - February 2018

Clarification on school closures

Schools should note that the Department of Education and Skills has advised that it is a matter for each individual school authority to use their discretion as to the timing of the closures within this academic year. Schools may also combine both half-days into one full-day school closure, to be taken during the current school-year.

Click on the image below to open PDF file.

On October 2nd 2017, The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone T.D. launched Children First 2017. The document supersedes Children First 2011 from December 11th 2017, following the full commencement of the Children First Act 2015.

As per Circular 0081/2017, schools will be permitted two separate half-day school closures during the 2017/18 school year to allow time, as a school community, to engage with the revised procedures and to access the support available. The support available is as follows:

PDST

Support

Schools may engage with the dedicated PDST on-line resource to guide them through the revised Department of Education Child Protection Procedures for Primary & Post-Primary Schools 2017.

Schools may engage with the 90-minute Universal e-Learning programme developed by Tusla which is available to schools by clicking the link below. This programme was written to support all personnel, regardless of profession, in recognising concerns about children and reporting such concerns, as required.

Click on the image below to access the online supports:

Additional supports:

One full-day, face-to-face seminar for Designated Liaison Persons (DLPs) and Deputy Designated Liaison Persons (DDLPs) which will facilitated in Education Centres commencing Mid-March 2018. Schools will be sent dates from their local Education Centre shortly.

Click on the images below to access the documents

Children First 2017

Child Protection Procedures 2017

Clarification of PDST Support to Schools 2018

Department of Education & Skills

Child Safeguarding Statement & Risk Assessment Templates

Click on the image below to download templates

Child Protection Seminar Slides

Click on the image to download the slides used at the PDST Child Protection Seminar for DLPs and DDLPs 2018

Child Protection Resources

Child Protection issues are explored in the primary school through various initiatives. The Stay Safe Programme and supporting Teacher Resources, Relationship & Sexuality Education support materials and the Webwise website can all be accessed below.

PDST is funded by the Teacher Education Section (TES) of the Department of Education and Skills (DES) The service is managed by Dublin West Education Centre
PDST 14 Joyce Way, Park West Business Park, Nangor Road Dublin 12 Email:info@pdst.ieLogin